As a kid, I remember being told that Garfield didn't qualify as "silent reading time" material when I finished my classwork before everyone else. Granted, Garfield isn't exactly a founding text of the Western canon, but many educators have since come to understand that reading, in any form is a good thing. Graphic books have their own unique merits and are worth enjoying on their own terms. They also improve vocabulary and language acquisition by providing context through illustrations. There's no denying that even the kids who are reluctant to pick up a book are drawn to the pacing and the aesthetic of the format. The library in my son's elementary school is bursting with graphic novels, some which never quite make it to being re-shelved between readers. At our local public library, the graphic novel section always looks like it suffered its own isolated earthquake while the neat rows surrounding it seem untouched. We made a list of graphic books that are awesome on their own merits, but also happen to serve as a gateway to classic works of literature, mythology and history. Le Petit Prince Joann Sfar A Wrinkle in Time Madeline L’engle adapted by Hope Larson The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman adapted by P. Craig Russell Oz Series L. Frank Baum, Eric Shanower Percy Jackson Series Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti, Attila Fukati, Jose Villarubbia The Odyssey Gareth Hinds Romeo and Juliet Gareth Hinds The Babysitters Club Raina Telgemeier The Boxcar Children by Shannon Eric Denton illustrated by Mike Dubisc
